Alum Creek Lake is located in Delaware County, Ohio, north of Columbus between I-71 and US 23. Alum Creek flows south joining Big Walnut Creek, near Groveport in southeast Columbus, which joins the Scioto River. Alum Creek Lake was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the flood hazard along Alum and Big Walnut Creeks, the Scioto River, and along the Ohio River. The city of Columbus shared part of the additional project cost for water supply for the metropolitan area. Other benefits of the lake project are recreation, fish and wildlife management, and downstream water quality. The majority of the park is leased to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to operate as a State Park. The Corps of Engineers manages and operates the Visitor Center and the Below Dam Recreation Area, as well as the dam. Restrooms are located at the Visitor Center, the State Park Beach, the Lewis Center Picnic Area, Hollenback Rd. Boat Ramp and State Park Marina, State Park Campground, Horsemen's Day Use Area/Camp, Kilbourne Fishing Access, Howard Rd. Boat Ramp, Cheshire Boat Ramp and Picnic Area, New Galena Boat Ramp, Cheshire Fishing Access, and the Below Dam Recreation Area.

Historical info

The Alum Creek Lake was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the flood hazard along Alum and Big Walnut Creeks, the Scioto River, and along the Ohio River. This lake was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1962. The Adena Indians, who lived in this area (800 B.C.), built mounds. Seven mounds were found around Alum Creek. Six of the mounds were excavated before completing the lake. The mounds were circular in shape with a hollow center and 1 to 2 feet high. Archaeologists believe these mounds probably were not burial mounds. In the campground, a bronze plaque commemorates the site of Fort Cheshire. Known to the colonists as the Blockhouse, Fort Cheshire was built for the protection against the Indians about 1812. In the years after the Indian attacks, the Blockhouse served as a schoolhouse and, before the nearby churches were built, as a meeting place for religious services. During the 1860's the Alum Creek area became a main artery of Central Ohio's "underground railroad." Slaves, escaping to Canada, walked in the water of Alum Creek so their scent was lost to pursuing dogs. All roads near Alum Creek were used by the "conductors" (people helping the slaves to escape) in transporting the slaves to the next "station."

Recreation

Bicycling

Two mountain bike trail systems are located on the east side of the lake, off of Lewis Center Road. The P1 trail system includes two main trails, a two-mile loop designed for beginning cyclists and nearly five miles of connected loops for the more experienced rider. The P2 trail is for, advanced riders, is about six miles in length. These trails are unpaved and are exclusively designed for mountain bike use only. For maps and information on possible seasonal trail closures or trail conditions visit the Central Ohio Mountain Bike Organization web site at www.mtbohio.org. Bicycles are also permitted on main roads and in the State Park Campground.

Boating

Alum Creek Lake offers unlimited horsepower and various water related activities such as; fishing, sailing, water skiing, pleasure boating and boater swim/camp areas. There are five boat launch ramps; the Marina on Hollenback Road and the Campground ramp on the west side of the lake, the New Galena and Cheshire ramps on the east side of the lake and the Howard Road ramp in the northern part of the lake on the east side. The area north of US Route 36/State Route 37 is a no wake zone.

Camping

The campground, on the west side of the lake, was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is operated by the State Park. There are 289 sites, all with new electrical hook-ups (1999), a picnic table, and a fire ring. Showers, flush toilets, drinking water, a trailer waste station, playground, basketball court and a shelter house are also available as well as a beach and a boat ramp which are exclusively for campground guests. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Other camping areas include a Group Camp at the Lewis Center Picnic Area, and camping for horsemen at the Horsemen's Day Use Area/Camp on Howard Road.

Fishing

The saw-toothed lake shoreline provides excellent fishing. Alum Creek Lake is one the best fishing lakes in the state. A wide variety of fish including white bass, rock bass, small-and large-mouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, green sunfish, longeared sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, channel catfish and walleye thrive in the lake. The State of Ohio, Division of Wildlife regularly stocks Saugeye and muskies in the lake. Numerous fishing tournaments are held at the lake each year. Fishing access areas include the Lewis Picnic Area, Kilbourne Fishing Access, Howard Rd. Boat Ramp, Cheshire Fishing Access, and the Below Dam Recreation Area. Fishing is allowed from boats and shoreline, in and along the lake. Ohio fishing licenses are required and state fishing regulations apply.

Handicapped access

Universally Accessible Facilities are provided at the Visitor Center/ Project Office and the Below Dam Recreation Area. There is also a universally accessible fishing access and pier on the east side of the lake, at the Cheshire Fishing Access Area. The Cheshire Fishing Access Area also offers picnicking, universally accessible restrooms and a paved trail leading to the pier.

Hiking

The park offers a six mile multi-purpose trail, located at the New Galena Launch Ramp, on the east side of the lake. The trail is designed for hiking in the spring and summer months and dependent upon snow cover, snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter. There are also hiking trails located at the State Park Office, the Hollenback Boat Ramp Area, and the Visitor Center.

Horseback Riding

The park offers a bridle trail of 50 miles. The majority of the trail is north of U.S. Route 36/State Route 37 and is recommended for experienced riders. Horse rental is not available. Parking for trailers; overnight camping, water and restrooms are available at the Horsemen's Day Use Area/Camp on Howard Road.

Hunting

The areas north of Rt 36/37 on the east bank are mostly wooded and support good populations of whitetail deer, squirrel and raccoon. The areas south of Rt 36/37 are mostly abandoned cropland with small areas of secondary hardwoods. These areas have good populations of whitetail deer and rabbit. The State Park offers 20 duck blind sites in an annual lottery held on the 3rd Saturday in August. There are also 8 day use blinds available on a first come basis.

Marina facilities

The marina, located on the west side of the lake at the end of Hollenback Road, is operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The Marina offers dock spaces, boat equipment and repairs, rentals, a restaurant, related goods and services, and an area for picnicking. The State Park conducts an annual lottery for seasonal boat dock spaces. Contact the Alum Creek State Park Office @ (740) 548-4631 for more information.

Picnicking

Three picnic shelters are located at the Below Dam Recreation Area. All shelters are available on a first come, first served basis EXCEPT WHEN RESERVED IN ADVANCE (a fee is required for reserving a shelter). RESERVATIONS MAY BE MADE 360 days IN ADVANCE by contacting the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) at 1-877-444-6777 toll free. Specify the state of Ohio and Alum Creek Below Dam area to the customer service representative. For addition shelter information call the project office at (740) 548-6151. There are also picnic tables outside of the shelters in the Below Dam Recreation Area. In the state park managed area, the Lewis Center Picnic Area, located north of the beach on Lewis Center Road offers the largest area for group outings. The Marina, Cheshire and New Galena Ramps also offer shaded picnic areas.

Swimming

The State Park beach is 3000' long and is the largest inland beach in the state of Ohio. The beach is located on Lewis Center Road on the west side of the lake. A small beach, located in the State Park campground, is exclusively for campground guests. The use of flotation equipment is prohibited at both the main beach and the campground beach.

Visitor Center

The Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and Office is located on Lewis Center Road between the beach and the dam. The visitor center is open year round. Facilities and services include exhibits, information, maps, brochures, a movie theater, and restrooms. A variety of guided walks, talks, and other programs are offered free of charge by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Call (740) 548-6151 to schedule a program for your group or organization.

Contact:(740) 548-6151

Directions:

From the south - I-71 north to Exit-121 (Polaris Parkway Exit). Turn right (east) on Polaris Parkway. Turn left on Worthington Road. Then turn left on Africa Road. Turn left on to Lewis Center Road to get to the Below Dam Recreation Area or the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center about 1/2 mile beyond the Below Dam Recreation Area.

From the northeast - take I-71 south to Exit-131 (west on 36/37). Turn right (west) on 36/37. Turn left (south) on Africa Rd. Continue on Africa Rd. until you reach Lewis Center Rd. Turn right (west) on Lewis Center Rd. to get to the Below Dam Recreation Area or the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center about 1/2 mile beyond the Below Dam Recreation Area.

From Northwest - From U.S. Route 23 south, turn left on Lewis Center Road. Corps Visitor Center is approximately 3 miles on left

Mailing Address:

Alum Creek Lake

5905 Lewis Center Rd.

Lewis Center, OH 43035-9215

Announcements

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Visitor Center Hours

The Visitor Center is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Group Outings

If you have a school class or group that would like to visit the dam or visitor center, please call 740-548-6151 to arrange a date and time. Water safety, dam tours, nature hikes and movies are available.

Links

The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.

About the Huntington District

The official public website of the Huntington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers